HC Deb 20 May 1993 vol 225 cc252-4W
Mr. Faber

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policies were put forward by Foreign Ministers of other member states in relation to the commitment of ground forces and combat aircraft in the former Yugoslavia at the most recent EC Foreign Affairs Council.

Mr. Garel-Jones

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the hon. Member for Keighley on 19 May at column168.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise in the European Council the issue of human rights in Croatia and the role of extreme right-wing groups in that country.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The behaviour of the Croatian Government and its human rights record are regularly discussed with our EC partners. These factors, together with the Croatian Government's attitude towards fighting between Croats and Muslims in Bosnia, and towards the Serbs in Krajina, are taken into account in determining EC policy towards Croatia.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa applications from holders of Yugoslav passports have been refused since the introduction of visa requirements; and how many have been issued during the same period.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The method of collecting statistics at posts world wide does not normally allow us to establish the number of applications by nationality. For an initial period, however, we are monitoring the effect of the visa regime on former Yugoslav nationals at the visa sections in Belgrade, Zagreb, Vienna, Budapest, Sofia, Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Dusseldorf and Paris. At these Posts, up to the end of April, 494 applications from former Yugoslav nationals had been refused; 3,918 applications were granted.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to contribute monitors, including military personnel, along the border of Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Mr. Garel-Jones

We support the deployment of international observers on Bosnia's borders with Serbia and Montenegro to monitor implementation of the prohibition of supplies (except humanitarian goods) to areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina controlled by the Bosnian Serbs. The United Nations Security Council is now actively considering detailed proposals. As yet no decisions have been taken on how the United Kingdom would contribute to international efforts to implement measures agreed by the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to provide monitors to police the border between Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina; and when he expects the first monitors to be in place.

Mr. Garet-Jones

The United Nations Security Council is actively considering proposals to deploy international observers on Bosnia's borders with Serbia and Montenegro. We hope that these personnel will take up their duties as soon as possible.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first became aware of a proposal by the Federal Government of Yugoslavia to put the border between Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina under the supervision of United Nation monitors; and how this was responded to by Her Majesty's Government and EC partners.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The Serbia and Montenegro authorities announced on 6 May their intention to prohibit the supply of all goods (except humanitarian supplies) to the Bosnian Serbs. We hope that the United Nations Security Council will soon agree to deploy international observers to monitor implementation of these measures. At its meeting on 10 May the EC Foreign Affairs Council indicated that the European Community and its Member States would be willing to contribute to international efforts to support implementation.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has in respect of human rights abuses and restrictions on the press and media in Croatia; and what representations have been made to the Government of Croatia.

Mr. Garel-Jones

There are continuing concerns about Croatia's human rights record and treatment of the media. Several representations have been made, most recently a strong message from the EC presidency to President Tudjman on 12 May, warning that the Community would not be able to continue its support for Croatia if the violence and ethnic cleansing committed by Croats in Bosnia continue.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the number of detention camps operated by(a) Bosnian Serbs, (b) Bosnian Croats and (c) Bosnian Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regularly visits 1,023 prisoners held by Bosnian Serbs in eight places of detention, 2,200 held by Bosnian Croats in six places of detention and 1,023 held by Bosnian Muslims in 15 places of detention. The ICRC is also visiting those detained during the recent fighting between Bosnian Croat and Muslim forces in central and southern Bosnia.